Anybody else noticed that Tramadol also relieves nasal stuffiness?

As long as I can remember, I have been bothered by a stuffy nose, which causes difficulty breathing. Because I hate taking medicines, I have mostly just tolerated the symptoms. Now that I take a couple of Tramadol tabs every morning for my back and leg pain, I find that both nostrils are wide open and I can breathe freely all day long. I've experimented with this, too, alternating NOT taking the med and noticing stuffiness, then TAKING the tabs and almost immediately noticing my stuffy nose opening up, so I'm sure this is not just coincidental.

NOW --- has anyone else had such an experience, or am I just as weird as some say I am?

it wasn't tramadol but it was another analgesic that I had the same effect with so if people think you are weird then I am right along side of you, but I am not offended by that in the least, its good to have company!! Seriously, I mean that with all sincerity, there is a lot of caring people who are in this group of people who I am honored to be part of

You got that right, Chris. If I had it to do over again, I'd probably be a hippie --- they had a HECK of a lot more fun; and at age 76, even if I'd had all that fun rather than slaving away behind a desk as a teacher for 40+ years, I probably wouldn't be any more unhealthy.

Good one! Hubby taught collision repair program in the inner city, Chicago. Teenagers and power tools don't mix! Hubby once instructed a Junior to "wet sand the whole car." Oh he did the whole car alright, even the windows and chrome bumper!! If they aren't instructed, step by step, forget it. They love hearing the whir whir of an impact wrench, go figure...

Thanks. Actually, I don't mind being thought of as weird, which equates more to "different" than to "strange," anyway, with most people.

By the way, my allergies are really dealing me misery this morning --- sneezing, runny nose, one nostril or the other either completely stopped up or running like a small faucet, eyes and ears itchy, head feels as if stuffed with cotton, etc. So at exactly 11:00 AM CST I took my two 50mg Tramadol tabs. NOW let's see what happens!

Let us know what happens. CST here too. I know the miserable feeling of clogged head! One nostril completely stopped up, turn your head on the pillow and that one clears, stopping up the other. Terrible conditions for trying to sleep.

Christine, I was just being honest I just thought if thats the case that people view use as weird due to the fact that a pain medicine has worked as a decongestant just one thing to add been there done that, then I went on to comment about what a caring group of individuals that composed this group, and that I felt honored to be part o this forum. thats my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

Me too my friend. I'm honored to be a part of the group too. And laughter truly CAN help quite a bit. By the way, how are the rib fractures healing? Try not to laugh too much, I know that can hurt ribs. Hope you are healing well and fast!!

tell you more about it later, got out last Friday after the Ice storm on the (1-31-2011) and caught another fall affecting the frontal left arm and chest area, I think I may own some stock in the Bengay company or whoever puts those patches out. and the smell...

Here's the verdict: After about an hour and a half, my nose was wide open and working the way noses are supposed to work --- except there's still a bit of "drip" and sniffling going on. THAT I can handle... it's the "totally plugged" feeling that really makes me miserable. Now I KNOW it's the Tramadol that does the job for me on the stuffiness as WELL as the back/leg pain.

NEXT thing I'm going to do is try to figure out whether --- as I suspect --- Tramado is also helping me to lose weight. Since I started on a diet exactly one week ago and have already shed MORE than 10 pounds, I really think I might be getting some help from Tramadol as WELL as from the Symlin that I have to inject to aid the insulin injections I have to do for my diabetes. I'm really hoping that losing 100 pounds --- which will put me below 200 for the first time since I left the service fifty years ago --- will get me completely OFF of insulin. Insulin, as you may know, actually causes weight gain, which diabetes worse. NOT a happy sort of situation at all.

I guess you just never know, do you? By the way, good luck on continued weight loss, you're off to a great start! When you said "service" I assume you meant the military? If so, thank you. Keep us posted on your nasal progress lol.

I realize it has been a few years since you posted this question but I just found it. And Yes, I have found that it does relieve my nasal stuffiness! I wish I knew what was causing the stuffiness and why Tramadol works. Just wanted you to know you are not alone.